Lane Johnson, Darren Sproles expected to play for Eagles, but not 2 other starters

Carson Wentz on what it's like adding Golden Tate; and new cornerback Cre'von LeBlanc on joining a new team.
Martin Frank, The News Journal

Buy Photo

Running back Darren Sproles hasn't played since the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 6. He suffered a hamstring injury in practice the next week.(Photo: Jerry Habraken, The News Journal)Buy Photo

PHILADELPHIA – The Eagles will likely have three of their key injured players back this Sunday, but they could still be without two others.

Eagles coach Doug Pederson said running back Darren Sproles, who missed the last seven games with a hamstring injury, will practice this week, and "the expectation will be that he does play" Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys.

The Eagles showed that on Tuesday by releasing wide receiver DeAndre Carter, who had served as the punt returner during Sproles' absence. Pederson said there's a backup plan in case Sproles can't play, but he wouldn't divulge it.

Still, the Eagles look at Sproles' return, as well as acquiring wide receiver Golden Tate, as adding two players at the trade deadline who can spark the offense.

"He’s very explosive," tight end Zach Ertz said about Tate. "He’s kind of in the Sproles element where they’re very explosive people, very good with the ball in their hands. Those are guys we want to get into space, do everything we can to get them in space."

In addition, Pederson said right tackle Lane Johnson, who reportedly sprained the MCL in his knee in the Eagles' last game, Oct. 28 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, will also practice this week. Pederson added the expectation is that Johnson will play, too.

That seemed rather remarkable considering those injuries could take up to a month to heal. Johnson wore a brace on his right knee at practice. He was a limited participant, as was Sproles.

"Lane is a tough guy," Pederson said. "In his mind, he would want to play, and our expectation is that he does play. At the same time, I say that, but I don’t want to put anyone out there that might be less than 100 percent, too."

Left tackle Jason Peters, himself playing through a torn biceps muscle, said it doesn't surprise him that Johnson would try to return without missing a game from a potentially serious knee injury.

"He’s a gritty guy," Peters said. "He’s got the grit. I know he’s going to play if he can get out and go.

Johnson wasn't available in the locker room after practice. But perhaps as a sign of foreshadowing, he tweeted an emoji Wednesday morning signifying "look at this."

The Eagles have also been banged up in the secondary. But their news was mixed as safety Corey Graham, who has missed the last four games with a hamstring injury, returned to practice on a limited basis.

But cornerbacks Sidney Jones, who missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, and Jalen Mills, who left the game against the Jaguars game with a foot injury, did not practice.

Pederson said ominously about Jones that his situation "is a little bit different" than Graham's. Pederson listed Graham as "day to day." That's a likely indication that Jones won't be ready to return this week.

CLOSE

Nelson Agholor on how the trade for wide receiver Golden Tate might affect his role.
Martin Frank, The News Journal

He was not quite as pessimistic about Mills, but still made his ability to play seem unlikely.

"We'll evaluate him, day by day," Pederson said. "He might be a touch longer, but he's coming and we'll see where he's at at the end of the week."

If Mills can't play, Rasul Douglas will take his spot. If Graham returns, then Avonte Maddox could move from safety to nickel. If Graham can't return, then newly-signed cornerback Cre'von LeBlanc could get a lot of snaps.

LeBlanc replaced Dexter McDougle on the roster. McDougle, who played 91 percent of the snaps against Jacksonville, was released on Monday.

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Buy Photo

Students at George Read Middle School got a chance to meet and get autographs from Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood, who played football for Red Lion Christian School, on Tuesday after he spoke about making good choices. Jennifer Corbett, The News Journal

Students at George Read Middle School got a chance to meet and get autographs from Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood, who played football for Red Lion Christian School, on Tuesday after he spoke about making good choices. Jennifer Corbett, The News Journal

Mi'Shaun Moore, 13, an eighth grader at George Read Middle School watches as he gets an autographs from Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood, who played football for Red Lion Christian School, on Tuesday, after he spoke to his classmates about making good choices. Jennifer Corbett, The News Journal

Students and faculty at George Read Middle School got a chance to meet and get autographs from Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood, who played football for Red Lion Christian School, on Tuesday, after he spoke about making good choices. Jennifer Corbett, The News Journal

Students and faculty at George Read Middle School got a chance to meet and get autographs from Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood, who played football for Red Lion Christian School, on Tuesday, after he spoke about making good choices. Jennifer Corbett, The News Journal

Faculty at George Read Middle School take photographs of students as they got a chance to meet and get autographs from Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood, who played football for Red Lion Christian School, on Tuesday, after he spoke about making good choices. Jennifer Corbett, The News Journal

A student at George Read Middle School gets a chance to meet and get an autograph from Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood, who played football for Red Lion Christian School, on Tuesday, after he spoke about making good choices. Jennifer Corbett, The News Journal

Students at George Read Middle School pose for a photograph with Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood, who played football for Red Lion Christian School, on Tuesday, after he spoke about making good choices. Jennifer Corbett, The News Journal

Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood, who played football for Red Lion Christian School, signs a shirt while a student points out his Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl LII Championship ring at George Read Middle School on Tuesday. Jennifer Corbett, The News Journal

Students at George Read Middle School pose for a photograph with Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood, who played football for Red Lion Christian School, on Tuesday, after he spoke about making good choices. Jennifer Corbett, The News Journal

Students at George Read Middle School got a chance to see the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl LII Championship ring that Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood worn to their school on Tuesday while speaking about making good choices. Jennifer Corbett, The News Journal

Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood, who played football for Red Lion Christian School, takes a selfie with George Read Middle School's assistant principal Mike Rees on Tuesday after visiting the school to speak about making good choices. Jennifer Corbett, The News Journal

Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood, who played football for Red Lion Christian School, spoke to students ta George Read Middle School on Tuesday about making good choices. Jennifer Corbett, The News Journal

Interested in this topic? You may also want to view these photo galleries:

In addition, Pederson said the Eagles will go slowly with defensive tackle Tim Jernigan, who had offseason back surgery. Jernigan was cleared to practice this week. The Eagles have until Nov. 25 to decide whether to put Jernigan, who's on the non-football injury list, on the 53-man roster.

If Jernigan is not ready by then, he'll go on season-ending injured reserve.

"We’re going to bring him along slowly, day by day," Pederson said. "We’ve got time with him. We don’t have to do anything right now. We’ve got a couple weeks with him. So each day, we’re going to give him more and more. He hasn’t done anything football-wise for a long time. So just want to see where he’s at health-wise each day."

As voters make their choices Nov. 6, Delaware Online will offer election content free on our website Tuesday and Wednesday. We hope you’ll take this chance to follow news of the midterms in Delaware and around the nation. We also hope you’ll consider supporting our journalism year-round by subscribing!